In a parliamentary democracy, a minority government can have the best of all possible outcomes. Parties are forced to listen to one another and consult. A liberal-minded government proposing costly social programs should, in theory, be held to account by a party on the right that’s fiscally conservative.
In the worst of minorities, a small third party holds taxpayers to ransom. The government is forced to hand over vast amounts of taxpayer cash in the form of costly programs the country can’t afford.
In the case of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh saved him the humiliation of going cap in hand to Opposition parties begging for support. In signing the Confidence and Supply agreement the NDP kept the Liberals afloat and enabled massive spending on big ticket items such as $10 a day daycare and Pharmacare.
With that agreement now off the table, Parliament has become a free-for-all. Now the Bloc Quebecois is threatening to bring down the government unless the Liberals agree to boost supports for dairy farmers and increase old age security for all seniors. Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet has given Trudeau until October 29 to pass two pieces of legislation ensuring those measures. If the government doesn’t comply, he’ll withdraw his support.
That doesn’t mean we’ll have an election. It will require all Opposition parties to vote against a confidence motion to bring down the government.
The only party not demanding more spending is the Conservatives. Ironically, that party won most votes in the last election. They actually had more support than the Liberals, and yet their views – and therefore the views of vast numbers of Canadians – are being ignored in this frenzy of spending.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attempted to end that this week. He has now introduced two non-confidence motions – and counting – in the House.
Both were defeated, but we can expect to see more of the same as the fall sitting continues. This prolonged game of Let’s Make A Deal is becoming unsavoury. All parties should remember they’re gambling with taxpayers’ money.
We’re paying for their political gamesmanship. We’re also watching. And when an election does roll around, we’ll get a chance to end the costly political blackmail.